ABU DHABI // Two of the capital's TV stations will be given slick new looks and improved programming line-ups from December 2.
Relaunches of Abu Dhabi Al Emarat and Abu Dhabi Al Oula, both owned by The National's parent company Abu Dhabi Media, have been planned to coincide with UAE's 42nd National Day.
As part of the overhaul, Al Emarat's current affairs show Oloum Al Dar will broadcast from a revamped studio.
The studio was developed with input and staff training from ADM's broadcasting partners Sky News Arabia, Sky News UK and Twofour54.
A morning show, Sabah El Dar, will also be launched. The Al Emarat morning show will explore issues affecting Emiratis and will highlight events occurring across all seven emirates.
The studio show will also include special segments broadcast from Abu Dhabi landmarks including Saadiyat and Yas islands.
A fresh set of programmes including a new drama series has been commissioned for Abu Dhabi Al Oula, a station home to more regional programming.
Twofour Arabia, the local arm of international production company Twofour, has been recruited to work with ADM to develop the programmes and provide on-the-job training.
The chairman of ADM, Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, said the rebooting of both channels came after an internal study of the company's operations.
"This relaunch was completed following efforts that spanned over a year and involved the development and enhancement of the company's working processes," Mr Al Mazrouei said.
"The project was completed in stages, the first of which included completing an update of our administrative structure and working policies, as well as a restructuring of the company's departments in order to ensure maximum efficiency."
Both stations are well into their Ramadan schedules, traditionally the Arab world's most fiercely contested television season.
Both gave a list of local productions their debut in the holy month, including the nightly drama series Zaman Lawal on Abu Dhabi Al Emarat.
Featuring Ghanim Al Sulaiti and Samira Ahmed, the show is set in 1970s UAE and follows a pair of reunited friends reflecting on life in a country on the cusp of reaching its potential.
sasaeed@thenational.ae
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
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Sector: Entertainment
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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